Babylonian and Assyrian Literature eBook

48 Like these boards he shall be stretched,
and the sorcerer 49 the consuming fire-god shall
consume. 50 O son of the macebearer, despite produce
unproduced, 51 despite the clothing of the god, the
King unconquerable, 52 may the man (by) the enchantment,
(with) eldest son and
wife,
53 (by) sickness, the loss of prosperity, of joy
(and) of gladness, 54 (by) the sickness which exists
in a man’s skin, a man’s flesh,
a man’s entrails,
55 like these boards be stretched, and 56
on that day may the consuming fire-god consume. 57
May the enchantment go forth and to (its) dwelling-place
betake itself.

COLUMN III

(The first part of Column III is mutilated. It becomes legible in the
middle of a list of magical formulae.)

30 The chiefest talisman, the mighty talisman, the
engraved
talisman, the talisman is
the binder, with enchantment.
31 The repetition of the enchantment (is) baneful
to man. 32 The curses of the gods. 33 ... the binder
with enchantment. 34 (With enchantment) his hands
(and) his feet he binds. 35 Merodach, the son of
Hea, the prince, with his holy hands
cuts the knots.
36 May the enchantment cause this talisman to the
desert
among the wild beasts to go
forth.
37 May the baneful enchantment seize upon others.
38 May this man rest (and) open (his eyes). 39 To
the blessed hand of his god may he be committed. 40
Conclusion of the formulae for averting sorcery.

41 For the raising of the mighty foundation thus
have I
burned up straight,
42 like fire have I burned up (and) have delivered
the oracle.[10]

[Footnote 10: Or, “have laid the witchcraft.”]

COLUMN IV

1 The noble cupbearer of Hea, the scribe
of Merodach (am) I. 2 Like fire have I blazed (and)
I rejoice;[1] 3 (like) fire have I burned (and)
I grow; 4 the corn I purify and make heavy. 5
Like fire have I blazed (and) will rejoice; 6 (like)
fire have I burned (and) will grow; 7 the corn will
I purify and make heavy. 8 O nadir (and) zenith,
the light of god and man, 9 may the store he collected
be delivered. 10 May the store of (his) heart whoever
he be, ye his god
and his goddess, be delivered.
11 May his gate be kept fast. On that
day 12 may they enrich him, may they deliver him.

13 May the rejoicing[2] of the warrior fire-god
14 rejoice with thee. May lands and rivers 15
rejoice with thee. May Tigris and (Euphrates)
16 rejoice with thee. May the seas and (the ocean)
17 rejoice with thee. May the forest, the daughter
of the
gods,
18 rejoice with thee. May all the production
(of the earth) 19 rejoice with thee. May the
hearts of my god and my goddess,
well-feasted,
20 rejoice with thee. May the hearts of the